My partner Becky made this for Octoberfest last year.
Octoberfest is hosted by Toltec Jewels at:http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/
This is one of my favorite pieces that Becky has blogged about.
I love orange in any way it comes! Tints, hues, translucent, opaque, pumpkin...

I love sending bead swaps!
As you can see, Becky is going to have a hard time deciding on what to make.
I usually send my packages priority mail for only $5.25, so I make it worth it.
I fill the box to the rim, every nook & cranny. A great opportunity to do a swap,
send some extra as a RAOK (random act of kindness) and just because!

I also sent her all of this!
I wanted to give her lots of choices
in the colors, focals & handmade items.
Not only did I send her items that I've made,
but items I've purchased or received in recent swaps
by other talented artists!

These are the pretty goodies that I received from Becky!
The warm colors are so inviting. For the first time in a swap I strived
to use as many of the items that I received. I really wanted to use up everything,
to challenge myself. But, I had a couple of last minute commissions to work on.
So I was able to get 3 really great pieces completed.

The first piece! I do have goldstone in my collection
of beads, findings, seed beads & mixed media items.
Don't forget I have a mini Michaels at home!
This one was quite easy for me.
Becky made the focal & I really couldn't see it as a necklace.
I didn't want to take away from all of the work she put into this design.
I've been shopping occasionally at Savers (a local 2nd hand store)
Buying up clutches, purses & small bags to upcycle by beading onto them.
I used the smoke fireline to stitch the focal that I received in my swap
onto this purse! Easy Peasy!

This is a paper mache' birdhouse
that you can buy at Michaels Arts & Crafts Stores
I happen to work there in the jewelry department & teach jewelry classes!

In my stash I found an old metal wind up music box someone gave me about 15+ years ago.
I cut off the roof of the birdhouse. Viola, a music box in the making. Which beads to use, how will it be executed?

So far this is what I have. But I would like to do much more to it.
I want it to stand up taller so the mechanical part inside doesn't move.
I used the 11/0 & 15/0 seed beads that I received in my swap stitched onto the fabric scrap from my stash & painted the roof a warm metallic gold.

Using up the rest
of the seed beads
that I received from Becky.
I did some even count peyote
& herringbone. Added some of the round
gemstones, a copper metal focal,
a copper chain I recently received from
a purchase from Lori Anderson, some aqua
metal pieces, some yarn from a chinese auction
and the wire wrapped copper clasp & connectors made
by Becky Pancake!

Here's what's left
after all of the designing,
pinning, decisions & & executions!

Saturday, February 7, 2015

I really didn't have the time to be on time for this event. Good thing that I made my necklace a couple of months ago. I'm knee deep in making the accessories for a Final Fantasy XIV cosplay client. So to say the least here you are: